For only the second time in the country’s history, a sitting president of Costa Rica will appear before Congress, in San José, to defend himself in a case that could strip him of presidential immunity and open the door to criminal prosecution.


President Rodrigo Chaves Robles is scheduled to testify Nov. 14 before a special three-member congressional committee reviewing a request from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to lift his immunity. The tribunal wants to move forward with charges of political belligerence.


Political belligerence refers to when an individual (in this case, President Chaves)  acts in a hostile or partisan manner, such as engaging in political activities prohibited by law.


Under Costa Rica’s Constitution, sitting presidents are granted absolute criminal immunity for acts committed while in office. However, the TSE has asked lawmakers to revoke that protection.


In June, the tribunal barred Chaves from taking part in the 2026 presidential campaign. The Constitution and the Electoral Code prohibit the president and other high-ranking officials from engaging in political or electoral activities or using their positions to benefit a political party.


According to the TSE, Chaves “illegitimately used” his office to “favor a political agenda.” The tribunal has reviewed about 15 complaints accusing the president of political belligerence.

  

If found guilty, Chaves could be removed from office and banned from holding public office for two to four years, according to the TSE.

The TSE officially launched the 2026 presidential race in October. More than 3.7 million registered voters (including about 63,000 Costa Ricans living abroad) are expected to head to the polls on Feb. 1, 2026. Voters will elect a new president and all 57 members of the Legislative Assembly for the 2026–2030 term.

This marks the second time President Chaves has faced an immunity process before Congress. In September, lawmakers rejected a motion to lift his immunity in a separate corruption case, allowing him to retain protection from prosecution while in office.

That earlier case involves allegations of concussion, a white-collar offense under Costa Rican law that occurs when a public official unlawfully demands or accepts money, services, or valuables while performing official duties. The charge carries a penalty of two to eight years in prison.

The TSE is an independent public institution that oversees all presidential elections and national referendums in Costa Rica.

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